SoundWords is the new name for the North East Radio Reading Clubs (the old name was always a bit of a mouthful). We are an exciting, innovative project formed initially in partnership between Arts Council England, The Reading Agency and BBC7s Big Toe Radio Show (now Big Toe Books).

The project is in its second year: the clubs are managed by Newcastle, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead library services, and a technical partnership with our wonderful web and training supporters: ictgateshead.

The aim of the clubs is simple: to create great radio, with books and reading central to its output. This means author interviews, book reviews, roving reporters, and along the way we learn about presentation, recording and editing skills – a range of the skills young people require to create radio. Hopefully we will embed an interest in radio that mean our members will be involved in radio beyond their membership of the club, whether in school radio, community radio, webradio or media studies involvement. At the same time we hope to develop generic skills for our club members such as presentation and speaking, listening, reading, writing and teamwork.

For more information contact nick.stopforth@newcastle.gov.uk

Links:
ictgateshead: www.ictgateshead.org/
Big Toe Books: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/kids/bigtoe/
The Reading Agency: http://www.readingagency.org.uk/